At night, your body temperature drops and you tend to sweat less. Applying antiperspirant at night when your sweat glands are less active means it is easier for it to absorb into the skin than it is in the morning.
While using it occasionally at bedtime is not harmful, use of deodorants around the clock may be an additional source of unnecessary irritation to the skin." Dr. Alan M. Dattner of Holistic Dermatology, also in New York, agrees, citing the potentially harmful effects of deodorants that may contain aluminum.
While the argument for applying deodorant at night is a good one, we would not suggest applying antiperspirant at night, there have been many health risks associated with using antiperspirants - so we would always advise on the side of caution. To be honest we wouldn't advise using them during the day either.
Clean and dry does the trick
Washing first will get rid of old sweat, while ensuring your skin is completely dry means you won't dilute your deo. So it figures that right after you dry off from showering is a great time to use your deodorant.
“If you stop wearing deodorant or antiperspirant, you can develop a stronger odor over time,” Doyle said. “When you stop using (such products) and sweat more, this creates a breeding ground for bacterial and fungal overgrowth, which can cause odor to become stronger.”
Baking Soda
This might be a pretty straightforward remedy to get rid of smelly armpits. You can take a small amount of baking soda and mix a little bit of water to form a semi-solid paste. Apply this paste to your armpits and allow it to dry. After it dries, wash it off.
If you're shaving before putting on deodorant, treat your underarms with some respect and wait a few minutes before applying. When you shave, you're basically creating tiny little cuts on your skin, and applying deodorant when they're ripe and freshly hairless could cause some irritation.
Applying Stick Deodorant
For those wondering, “How much deodorant should I put on?” We recommend 2-3 swipes under each arm for the best results. If you find that residue is transferring to your clothes, it's likely that you're applying too much.
As sweating at night occurs all over the body, applying antiperspirant will only help with sweaty armpits.
The most effective time of day to apply deodorant is at night before going to bed, and it is especially important to apply your antiperspirant at night. Your body temperature is lower and your underarms dryer at this time, so the deodorant will have a better chance to work on your skin.
Cleaning your armpit with soap and water daily will kill the bacteria and prevent its growth. It will reduce the risk of skin problems and make your smell good.
But apparently applying your antiperspirant should actually be part of your evening regime - not your morning one - to make sure it's fully absorbed. "Apply at night before going to bed to allow to dry fully. Leave on overnight and wash off any residue in the morning with soap and water," advises the doctor.
That's because it takes time for your antiperspirant to work its magic and close your armpit's sweat ducts. After this process happens, good antiperspirants and deodorants usually last 24-48 hours, so you'll have plenty of dry times ahead after application.
If you use it in the morning right after your shower, your skin might be too wet to absorb the formula properly. If you apply it when you're rushing out the door, your antiperspirant may not have enough time to block your sweat glands. Antiperspirant formulas need time to soak into your pores to prevent sweat.
When are they old enough to start wearing deodorant? There's no specific age for a child to start wearing deodorant or antiperspirant. Many start in their teens. Some start as soon as puberty starts to cause body odor, which can be as early 8 or 9 years old for some children.
This will vary from person to person, but generally we say about 3 months.
And no, if you shower in the morning, you won't wash away the deodorant you applied the night before. The effect of the ingredients usually stays active for around 24 hours (or longer, in some cases), even through showering.
Limit Your Swipes
Stick: You only need two to three swipes of stick deodorant for sufficient underarm coverage, Dr. Garshick says.
However, removing the hair only removes the 'house' for the bacteria. The bacteria themselves remain, so if you have no armpit hair but don't wash your armpits, you're still going to have odor.
Sniff your clothes at the end of the day.
Toward the end of the day, give your clothing a sniff. If it smells pungent or musty, it's likely that you've got some body odor. If you want to test your feet for odor, try taking a whiff of your socks or shoes.